Hand arm vibration is on the rise: are you at risk?

According to the Building Safety Group, there has been a 42% increase in the number of Hand Arm Vibration cases that have not complied with regulations. This is based on a study of 20,000 site inspections throughout 2016.

When workers are at risk of Hand Arm Vibration syndrome, they can suffer symptoms such as numbness, pins and needles, tingling and overall pain in their hands. This can then impact individuals sleep when these symptoms arise at night. Not only that, but it can also cause difficulties with gripping and holding things too. This can consequently then impact a tradesperson’s ability to work.

Leaving a worker with these types of injuries can not only be damaging for the tradesperson but can also have costly implications for the company. For example, a case recently emphasised that when a worker was left with these permanent injuries, the Council was fined £250,000.

Regulations require that employers should take several steps to prevent workers developing Handy Arm Vibration syndrome. To begin with, they need to make sure that the risks caused by vibration are controlled. To do this, they must ensure that the vibrations are at the lowest level that is reasonably possible. Workers must also have as little exposure as possible to these vibrations too.

That’s not all though. They must also provide appropriate training for all employees regarding the risks and the actions associated with the syndrome. This will not only reduce the risks for employees, but it will also help reduce the costs of managing workplace illness. This will consequently encourage lower absence rates too and remove workplace health risks.

It’s not just Hand Arm Vibration Syndrom either. Weil’s disease is another risk construction workers face on site. With flu-like symptoms, if left untreated this disease can lead to life-threatening issues such as internal bleeding and organ failure. Take a look at the symptoms and risks here.

So what do you think? Are you at risk of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome? Are there any other risks you think we should cover? Let us know in the comments below.